, 1887-04-09

~S SSS' POlAO1SdA -WOA1Q WdS SUak6u 10 us
centre, for in the letter was a vein of thought
that politicians construed into a policy that
would, If carried out, probably effect a split in
the solid ranks of the Democracy of the EN-
pire State.
Mayor Hewitt's elegant residence, on Lex.
lngton avenue, was besieged with politicians
and reporters all day. They came in an
endless stream. The Mayor, pale and bag
gard, begged to be excused from seeing the
majority of his callers, but found time to say
to a Journal reporter:
81 do not blame the Yong Mems Democra.
tic Club for suppressing the letter, but think
that President Lee is responsible. I have re-
ceiyed an explanation and apology from the
club, and shall reply to it telling them that
| do not hold them responsible for it's suppress
sion. The sentiments | expressed I firmly
adhere to-"
The letter, which is addressed to President
Lee, reads:
Dear Sir-I have the honor to acknow-
ledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th inst.
asking Inc TO be the guest of the Young Mems
Democratic Club Of Brooklyn on the 22nd
inst. at its annual dinner. As you are aware.
am just recovering from q very painful illness.
which does not yet permit me to leave my
chamber. AS 8 matter of course it will be
AAIiPOooLDl0 lOI A0 ~ IdN6 blA6 plOdoo1O Va
dining with you on the 22nd, but send my
cordial greetings to the club and to the dis.
tinguished Democrats who will be present,
and trust that the laudable object at which
you aim-the promotion of the Union and the
success of the National Democracy-Wiu be
achieved.
The principles Of the Democratic party are
on trial from a new force which has suddenly
appeared in politics, and which will destroy
the party unless it is boldly confronted and the
dangerous and pernicious effect of its doctrines
and principles denounced and made clear to
the people. The Democratic party regards the
individual as the unit Of society, the integri-
ty of which depends entirely upon the person
al liberty of the citizen, Jefferson and his
associates drove the Federal party out of
power on this issue, which, indeed, was
fundamental in the struggle which gave US
our free government and produced the Con
s~titution. Until the civil war broke out no
man questioned the right of the white cltl-
zens of the United States to dispose OF them
selves and their labor in any manner IN which
might seem good. The war extended the
same rights to the colored race as the white
citizens had previously enjoyed, SO that up
to a very recent period every citizen of this
country has been free to employ himself and
pursue MS happiness III WIlaG6FeI uAOSVAOA
might seem to him to be good. Within the
last five years, however, a secret organization
has been growing in strength and power
which seeks to enslave the labor Of this coun-
try and make it subject to the irresponsible
domination of men unknown to the people,
and who are not creatures of law responsible
to free public opinion and to the constituted
authorities for their action. Gradually the lead
ers of this body have succeededln stamplngout
all personal independence on the part OF q
large number of workmen Of the country by
refusing to permit any persons to earn a living
who are not affiliated with this secret organl'
cation. In this way the workmen have been
coerced into blind obedience to irresponsible
power, and the condition of those who have
tried to remain outside of the organization Is
in many cases truly pitiable. They are called
by opprobrious names, are hunted down from
shop to shop, and denied employment on the
fearful penalty of stopping all work, however
pressing and important. This is tyranny
against which the Democratic party has ever
struggled, and which it must now confront
and denounce in no mistaken tones. 1t Is true
that Democrats holding high positions have
coquetted with this new and dangerous ele"
ment in politics, and even attained Office by
submitting to the humiliation of amapparent
Endorsement of the false and dangerous DOC
trines which have been put in practice at sucn
a fearful cost in our own midst within the
present month, Unless the Democratic party
z-~--~a- and